Stock Exchange Handicap

(Special to The Billiard Monthly.)

The great success achieved by the Stock Exchange Handicap during the past few years must be set down in a large measure to the untiring efforts of the hon. secretary, Mr. W. D. Waite. I was fortunate enough the other day to run up against him when he had a few minutes to spare.

He is such a busy man in the "House" that it is a puzzle to know how he finds time to give the attention necessary to the successful direction of the handicap. However, his motto is "Where there's a will there's a way," and this, in a nutshell, is the secret of his own success. Although a splendid exponent of the game himself, Mr. Waite is specially adapted to organization, and it is due to his efforts in this direction that the other members take such a keen interest in the billiards section. It is four years ago that Mr. Waite superseded Mr. W. S. Ranger as secretary, and since then the handicap has gradually attained more prominence. The great difficulty in running a big handicap is in getting the players to keep time in their respective heats, and I asked Mr. Waite how it was that there never appeared to be any scratchings and the games were always played as scheduled. In reply, he told me that it was due to the competitors themselves and their fine sporting spirit, the great keenness with which each regarded his respective chance.

With regard to his own prowess, Mr. Waite has only once been credited with making a hundred break, but he is a very consistent scorer. Like many other sportsmen, Mr. Waite does not confine himself to billiards. He is also good at lawn tennis, golf, cricket, and quite recently he has been devoting some time to the game of Badminton. At lawn tennis he used to be an expert, and has taken part, with no little success, in the Kent championships. Despite the fact that Mr. Waite owes 120 in the billiard handicap, he only just missed the prizes last season, and already is on the way for one in the present event.

When he first entered the competition he was put on the owe 75 mark, and good old Mickey Clark, who was then the bead marker, stated that he would certainly win the first prize. Thus the committee reframed the handicap, and Mr. Waite only suffered defeat in the final heat. At the present moment he is trying his utmost to get the proprietors of the Palmerston Restaurant to allot another saloon for the disposal of the handicap. To say the least, the room in which it is being played is far from healthy. It is of such a low pitch and so badly ventilated that the atmosphere is at times almost unbearable, and unless the surroundings are somewhere near perfect it is next to impossible to play one's proper game. Let us hope Mr. Waite will get this remedied, for I am certain every member will appreciate the change for the better.

I must here mention, with deep regret, that since my last article the Palmerston has suffered a serious loss by the death of Mr. H. Gerards. The deceased was for the past seven years general manager, and by his courtesy and never failing attention made himself respected by everyone with whom he came in contact. He had for some months past been suffering from a lingering illness, which unfortunately proved fatal. During this period the management had been in the capable hands of Mr. W. Clark, pending the decision of the directors to appoint a successor.

My remarks last month appertaining to team matches have so far brought no response. I then stated that Mr. Waite would be willing to raise a team to oppose another team in home and home matches. Is it possible other teams are afraid to take up the challenge? Now then Lambeth Carlton Club, let us hear from you.

Once again it is necessary for me to call the attention of Stock Exchange billiardists to the rules of the B.C.C. On numerous occasions the competitors ask the referee questions which he is not allowed to answer. No referee is allowed to give advice on the game; that should be distinctly understood. One frequently hears a player ask "Am I spot or plain?" and "Can I give another miss?" This makes it abundantly clear that the rules are not studied, and surely this reflects a little discredit on those taking part in the competition.

Some remarkably fine games were witnessed in the second round, which, by the time these notes are in print, will have been concluded. It is noticeable that the two extreme backmarkers were both on the winning side. I was indeed pleased to see Mr. J. R. Abbott, managing director of Messrs. Burroughes & Watts, present at the match between Mr. V. L. Harrington and Mr. R. J. Bullett. He was throughout most interested in the proceedings. This is not to be wondered at, because it proved to be one of, if not the finest, game yet seen. Mr. Harrington, owing 300, just managed to gain the verdict by 17 points. He was up against a tough proposition in Mr. Bullett, who owed 120, and he had to exert all his energy to win. Mr. Bullett knows a lot about the game, and his splendid generalship and export safety ladies very nearly led to his opponent's undoing. Mr. Harrington recorded 17 double-figure breaks against 14 by his rival, the chief moves by the former being 50, 66, and 40, and by Mr. Bullett 29 and 44. Mr. Phil.

Harwitz, also owing 300, had a much easier journey against Mr. F. Dozest, who received 50, the back-marker gaining the verdict by 68 points. In this game Mr. Harwitz ran into double figures on 15 occasions, and he was responsible for excellent breaks of 63, 62, and 69.

Comparisons are always more or less odious, but in view of certain remarks I have overheard with respect to these two games, I would point out that, in my opinion, Mr. Harrington's win was the better performance. In his case the opposition was extremely strong, whereas Mr. Harwitz was invariably able to outmanoeuvre his weaker opponent.

There was general acclamation when Mr. Waite (owe 120) defeated Mr. P. Levy (rec. 75). Although the winner's highest efforts were 27, 26, 32, and 30, he gave a most consistent display, and recorded 15 double-figure items. I now turn to the most one-sided heat yet witnessed. This was between Mr. J. Cocke (owe 20) and Mr. H. Barlow (owe 40), the latter being annihilated by no fewer than 190 points.

Mr. Cocke made chief runs of 25, 24, 35, and 23, scoring the requisite number, viz., 270 points, to take him to game in sixty-one minutes. On this showing he should have some supporters for the first prize. In extenuation, however, it should be mentioned that Mr. Barlow was right out of form, and the luck did not favour him in the least.

Another big defeat was the portion of Mr. R. Hilf (scratch), Mr. W. Babbington gaining the award by the margin of 122. In the previous round Mr. Hilf, I believe, received 70 start, but his form then was so good that the committee felt it their duty to revise his start. Evidently that form was a "flash in the pan." Still, the powers cannot be blamed, for it is well to err on the right side, especially where a newcomer is concerned.

Another heat that furnished a close game and an exciting finish was that wherein Mr. E. Blakeway (owe 20) defeated Mr. H. Sonn (rec. 40) by the small majority of 5. With reference to this game, it Is worthy of note that, included in the remarks in the official "blue book" was: "A sporting game; neither player once potted his opponent." Other competitors please take note.

One point only separated the scores at the finish of the game between Mr. W. Hook (owed 30) and Mr. E. Henderson (scratch), but the latter has the consolation of a prize for the best loser.

The game between the brothers F. E. and C. L. Yates, the former owing n o and the latter receiving 40, created enormous interest. The former got the decision by 20 points only, after a capital game. At one period the scores were called "80 all," so that great credit is due to Mr.

C. L. for the tenacious manner in which he stuck to his brother. It may seem curious, but I am informed that Mr. C. L. practically taught his brother the game, and now the latter has to concede a big start. Truly, a case of the pupil being greater than the master. Two old hands in the competition, in the persons of Mr. Percy Tharp and Mr. H. V. Jones, both on the owe 40 mark, received their quietus, their respective opponents being Mr. J. Coxall (rec. 20) and Mr. L. McCalla (rec. 70). "Mac." is very popular at the Palmerston, and no one begrudges him his success.

Next month I hope to give a survey of the career of Mr. Phil. Harwitz, of whom we shall reproduce a photograph.

Some Second Round Results